This is some kind of beautiful train-wreck. The atmosphere - the total of settings, clothing, soundtrack and characters - is a truly enchanting portrayal of the late '80s / early '90s. Except for the dream sequences; they were merely okay, but luckily they were short. Also, the scenes at the psychologist weren't very imaginative, but they did have their part in the story.
The story itself is where the main problem lies. Although I liked the combination of drama (coming of age) and suspense, I'm just not sure what to make of it. The hints indicating the father's complicity in the mother's disappearance can't be missed, and when finally a lock on the freezer is discovered, there's no question about him being guilty. But straight after he manages to convince Kat he didn't do it, or so it seems, because immediately after that we see her saying goodbye to him in a very unsure manner. Then it turns out he indeed did kill his wife, and even the (unexpected) events that lead up to that - that scene was not convincing at all, especially acting-wise.
Somehow I still love the whole atmosphere of the film (9 out of 10 at least) and take the strange plot (3 out of 10) for granted. Other parts of the plot, such as the relationship with the cop and her friends on the other hand, were perfectly in place.
It's a strange one, and I'll certainly give it another go sometime, but for now I'm stuck at about 6 out of 10.
The story itself is where the main problem lies. Although I liked the combination of drama (coming of age) and suspense, I'm just not sure what to make of it. The hints indicating the father's complicity in the mother's disappearance can't be missed, and when finally a lock on the freezer is discovered, there's no question about him being guilty. But straight after he manages to convince Kat he didn't do it, or so it seems, because immediately after that we see her saying goodbye to him in a very unsure manner. Then it turns out he indeed did kill his wife, and even the (unexpected) events that lead up to that - that scene was not convincing at all, especially acting-wise.
Somehow I still love the whole atmosphere of the film (9 out of 10 at least) and take the strange plot (3 out of 10) for granted. Other parts of the plot, such as the relationship with the cop and her friends on the other hand, were perfectly in place.
It's a strange one, and I'll certainly give it another go sometime, but for now I'm stuck at about 6 out of 10.